Kamae

Kamae [ ka.mae ] (Japanese構え) is a term that refers to the Japanese martial arts ( Budo ) the basic attitude or starting position of the fighter. The kamae is composed of the outer and inner attitude. The Kamae are adapted to the specific nature of the martial art. Often, however, is that you can respond to an attack in this position, but can also attack from this position.

Kamae in the Budoarten

Kendo

In Japanese fencing, there are:

Chudan -no- kamae

The average starting position is the default position in Kendo. In this case, both feet are parallel and show to the enemy, the left foot is back slightly. The big toe of the left foot is approximately level with the heel of the right foot. Both feet are then about a foot apart. The tip of the sword pointing to the throat of the opponent. The left hand holds the sword just below the navel. Chudan -no- kamae is the most common form kamae in kendo.

As a variant is still Seigan -no- kamae application. But the sword tip pointing slightly to the right and a little raised, it is thus on the left forearm (mark ) of the opponent ( in Jodan -no- kamae ). This variant is used in the fifth Nihon kendo kata.

Jodan -no- kamae

The upper base position is an offensive posture, in which the Shinai is held over the head. There are two different versions:

Migi Jodan -no- kamae, while the Kendoka stands straight to the enemy, as well as in Chudan -no- kamae. The Shinai is held here in front of the head, the left hand a fist width of the forehead is removed so that the fighter can see under his hand the enemy

Hidari Jodan -no- kamae, focus is on the Kendoka with the left foot forward, the body is turned slightly to the right. The sword is also rotated slightly to the right.

Both Jodan schemes will be implemented in the first Nihon kendo kata.

Fighters during the Shiai ( competition ) one-handed ( katate ) beat principally from the Hidari Jodan -no- kamae are called Jodan kendo fighter and as the Nito - fighters ( with two swords ) a special position one on which normal must set Chudan - Kendoka (eg by altered kamae Seigan Jodan -no- kamae. Shinai is slightly higher than in Chudan and the shinai tip targets the raised front of the kote jodan - fighter to ).

Rarely there are also Jodan fighters who are in the normal state of Kendo and from there into migi jodan -no- kamae, but change so the hand so that the left hand suddenly grips the shinai forward under the tsuba.

Thoughts -no- kamae

The tip of the shinai is lowered to knee height. A position many feel the Kendoka in the competition to be disadvantageous, but occurs in the third Nihon kendo kata. From this advantage may be kamae when you compete as Kendoka against a Naginata - fighters because it primarily targets the legs. In ancient Kendo style leg such attacks were also still allowed, thus the thoughts -no- kamae also useful in shiai.

Hasso -no- kamae

This is similar to the Hidari Jodan Kamae -no- kamae, only the sword is held not on the head, but the right side next to the head, the hilt ( tsuba ) is recognized in the amount of the mouth.

This kamae form is used in the fourth Nihon kendo kata.

Waki gamae

The sword is down, sideways hidden behind the body to conceal the enemy, the length of the sword. The sword tip is this about at knee height.

This kamae form is used in the fourth Nihon kendo kata.

Kamae -o- Toku

The " falling " or "broken " Kamae is not offensive or defensive posture in the true sense, but represents a resolution of the same, by offering no offensive or defensive advantages. It is used in the Kata etiquette and resembles the thoughts -no- kamae, the sword is but turned sideways.

Shizentai

Natural stand upright without drawn sword